UK mobile network Three has put out a rather ballsy news release regarding the pricing of some of the phones in its Android range, claiming it offers the cheapest way to own quite a few of today’s most popular Android devices.
The network has even collated example prices from its rivals and issued a little table to prove its boasts. This one:
You can’t argue with a data table. Here’s the press release:
Three slashes the cost of entry to the world of smartphones.
No upfront cost and great all-round value on five of the UK’s top selling smartphones*.
Three has made entering the world of smartphones easier and more affordable, announcing five of the UK’s top selling HTC and Samsung models starting from just £15 per month, with no upfront handset cost and a minimum 500MB per month internet allowance.
To help customers looking to try a smartphone or simply switch handset or network, Three has chosen some of the most popular Android devices with all-round great value. The launch comes in light of market data** suggesting that expensive upfront phone costs are a key barrier to those looking to move into the world of smartphones; coupled with the fact that Android offers a number of different handset brands to choose from and a real variety in form and function. Only last week Google reported that it is activating 550,000 Android handsets each day, a 10 per cent increase in just the last three weeks.
Three, which is rated the No. 1 network for smartphones by Yougov***, is the only major operator offering The HTC Desire S with no upfront cost and gives you 100 minutes (any time, any network), 5000 texts and 500MB for only £22 per month. Similarly, no other major operator can beat Three’s bundle of voice, text and data on the Samsung Galaxy Ace, with no upfront cost and 100 minutes (any time, any network), 5,000 texts and 500MB of data on its Text 100 plan for £15 per month****.
William Ripley, director of voice at Three, says: “At Three we always try to help our customers choose the best smartphones and give them the best deals. Our emphasis is not just on voice and text, but also a generous internet allowance, which is ideal for new smartphone users. Smartphone adoption is increasing at a rapid rate and Android is proving popular due to the great value, variety of manufacturers and choice of form and function it offers. As such these excellent new deals aim to cut the cost of entry to the many benefits of mobile internet.”
Full details of Three’s new tariff deals can be found at www.Three.co.uk/Phones/Android.
HTC’s 4.3″ dual-core Android model, powered by Qualcomm’s all-new S4 processor. It’s smaller than the enormous One X, but is it as nice as its bigger brother? (SPOILER: Yes it is).
HTC is very much B-A-C-K at the top of the Android world with this, its quad-core flagship for 2012. Great camera, huge 4.7″ display and Android 4.0 running beautifully well.
Sony returns with an all-new mobile design for 2012, pairing a dual-core processor with a 720p display. It’s a lovely phone, but is it enough to end our Samsung and HTC obsession?
LG’s updated Prada phone comes with an absolutely crazy black & white theme, but is it just for fashionable suit wearers who want to make themselves look a bit more interesting?
red3y3
/ July 28, 2011what is 3′s coverage like these days.
had a contract with them a few years ago (5 or 6) and the coverage was, well, mostly wank.
as always they got some deals going on so i’m kinda tempted, if the network is better than it was
Jeremy
/ July 28, 2011Three’s coverage is pretty good they probably have the best 3g coverage now . They have added a hell of a lot more towers. I just switched from Vodafone to a HTC sensation on the one plan and am very happy.
Jeremy
silentbazz
/ July 29, 2011Coverage varies depending upon where you live though..
I think three do very good deals, and I would seriously consider them if the coverage where I live & work were up to scratch (particularly as the free 3 to 3 minutes is ridiculously good).
Sadly, stuck on voda for the foreseeable future..